BBV and STIs in Scotland – new 2016 report and a new data portal
An extensive report on the epidemiology of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea infections and related behaviours is being published by HPS today. The report focuses on the impact of interventions on preventing both infection and associated disease, and highlights the challenges ahead and some of the new preventative measures underway or in prospect.

The report is made available along with a new data portal, launching today, which has been developed by HPS in association with the Scottish Government, the Information Services Division of National Services Scotland and NHS boards.

The new portal gives access to an array of local and national data on bloodborne viruses (BBV), sexually transmitted infections and reproductive health in Scotland. Some, but certainly not all, of the data were already publicly available. This initiative however brings a wealth of information together in a format which should allow users to easily monitor Scotland’s progress nationally and locally against the government’s sexual health and BBV framework outcomes.

In Care Survivors Service Scotland – A support service for adults who suffered childhood abuse while in care and their families. It offers help specifically for survivors of historic in-care abuse under a national framework of advocacy, mediation and counselling services.

ChildLine – is the UK’s free 24 hour counselling service for children and young people, available by phone on 0800 1111 and online. You can contact ChildLine about anything – no problem is too big or too small. If you’re feeling worried, scared, stressed or just want to talk to someone you can contact ChildLine. We’re here to offer information and support whenever you need us.

Choices for Life – Choices for Life is a new website aimed at teenagers, youth workers, teachers and parents which gives reliable information on issues including drugs and alcohol.

Fast Forward – A national voluntary organisation based in Edinburgh. It promotes health through education by, with and for young people, focusing on the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse.YouthlinkScotland – Aims to support the development of high quality youth work services which promote the well-being and development of young people.

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) – The website of the organisation established by the Scottish Executive to strengthen and co-ordinate health protection in Scotland. It provides Information and statistics on communicable diseases including HIV and HCV.

Correlation – A European network for social inclusion and health which works to improve the access to health and social services for social excluded people.

Democracy, Cities and Drugs (DC&D) – This organisation is an alliance of 300 European cities and organisations involved in seven European civil society networks and it aims to promote local and democratically participative responses to the issue of drugs use.

International Harm Reduction Association – Works with local, national, regional and international organisations to assist individuals and communities in the areas of public health advocacy, collaboration and communication, best practice, and education, research and training.

LINKSCH – a EU-funded academic research project. The project is researching the unintended consequences of counter-drugs policies in the EU.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs – Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs exists to support those affected by the substance misuse of a loved one, because families need to recover too. We facilitate a Scotland-wide network of family support groups and run a helpline service. Edward House, 199 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3EX. Telephone Helpline: 08080101011 or email helpline@sfad.org.uk.

Know the Score – A network of drug-related organisations that provide information and advice on drug issues.

Release – Provides a range of specialist services to drugs users, family friends and professionals concering drugs and the law.

My Recovery My Choice – an educational initiative for drug users, their friends and family members aimed at empowering opioid-dependent people with good quality information to assist them in making educated decisions about their recovery.

Exchange Supplies – A social enterprise aiming to improve and prolong the lives of drug users by reducing drug related harm through the development and supply of effective equipment, resources and information exchange for drug users and drug workers and by providing employment and training for drug users.

Thinking Drugs – To help people develop opinion on drugs policy – supported by Release.

Cocaine Anonymous Scotland – Contains information on meetings; stories of recovering users; a self-test for drug problems; information about its helpline; a downloadable poster and links to other sites.

UK SMART Recovery – Supports individuals who want to abstain from any type of addictive behaviour through a four-point programme using tools and techniques based on scientific evidence tel 0330 053 6022.

Scottish Recovery Consortium – A charity established to drive and promote Recovery for individuals, family members and communities affected by drugs across Scotland.

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs – The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) makes recommendations to government on the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs, including classification and scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its regulations. ACMD is an advisory non-departmental public body of the Home Office.